Envelope opener



Feb. 3, 1948. v I H. L. DOWELL 7 Y ENVELOPE OPENER Filed A ril 2 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JN V EN TOR.

Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENVELOPE OPENER Henry L. Dowell, Athens, Tex., assignor of onehalf to Leon Barron, Athens, Tex.

Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,530 2 Claims. (01. 164-41) This invention relates to envelope openers,

and particularly to an envelope opener wherein one end of an envelope to be opened is positioned in a slot formed in the upper surface of the body of the opener, to be cut by a pivoted blade mounted for movement directly under the slot, the end of the envelope extended through the slot and lying within the path of travel of the blade, to be cut away by the blade, to permit the ready removal of the contents of the envelope.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an envelope opener constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the upper section of the body.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the body of the envelope opener is indicated by the reference character 5 and is preferably box like in formation, the body comprising an upper section 6 and a lower section I, securely connected by means of screws 1', so that the body portion may be conveniently opened should it be desired to repair or adjust the mechanism of the opener.

The upper section 6 is formed with a slot 8 through which the ends of envelopes are extended, when it is desired to cut away a portion of the envelope to gain access to the interior thereof.

Rising from the body, and being disposed at opposite sides of the slot 8, are transparent members 9 which are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, the transparent members 9 having their ends disposed within grooves formed in the inner surfaces of the brackets Ill that are secured to the upper surface of the upper section 6.

The upper recess 6 is formed with a recess extending inwardly from the inner surface thereof, the recess providing a compartment in which the plate I I is securely held, the plate being provided with a slot l2 that registers with the slot 8 of the upper section. Directly under the slot I2 is a plate [3 that extends transversely of the body 2 throughout the length of the slot, the ends of the plate l3 being secured to the brackets I4 secured within the slot, so that the plate I3 is supported in spaced relation with the plate II.

This plate provides a support for the envelope and prevents the envelope which is inserted in the slot from passing too far into the body of the envelope opener. The distance between the plate l3 and plate H is such that only a small portion of the end of the envelope will be cut away, thereby insuring against cutting the contents of the letter during the cutting operation to open the envelope,

Secured to the plate I l and extending along one edge of the slot I2, is a stationary blade l5 which cooperates with the pivoted blade l6 that is pivotall connected to the plate II, by means of the screw ll. The operating lever is indicated by the reference character l8 and has its inner end pivotally connected within the cut-out portion of the upper section, as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, the free end or handle l9 of the operating lever being extended through a slot formed in one end of the upper section 6, where it may be easily operated by the person using the device. A guide plate indicated at 20 is secured adjacent to the slot through which the lever I 8 extends to support the lever as it is being moved to operate the movable blade. A link indicated by the reference character 2| connects the pivoted blade IS with the lever l8, so that as the lever I8 is moved forwardly the pivoted blade I6 is moved into cooperative relation with the blade l5, cutting away a portion of the envelope posiv tioned in the slot.

A coiled spring indicated by the reference character 22 is mounted within the body and has one of its ends anchored at 23, while the opposite end thereof is secured within the openings 24 formed in the lever 18.

Positioned directly under the slots of the body through which the envelope is extended, is a sliding drawer 25 into which the clippings from the envelope fall so that they may be readily removed when the drawer is withdrawn.

In order to facilitate the operation of the lever I8, a finger piece 26 is provided on the upper surface of the upper section 6, to accommodate the thumbs of the operator while the second finger is used in operating the lever.

Due to the foregoing, it is believed that the construction and operation of the device will be clearly understood, and that further detailed description of the device is unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

1. An envelope opener comprising a body having a slot formed in the upper surface thereof, spaced transparent guide members positioned on opposite sides of the slot and adapted to guide an envelope to the slot, a supporting plate secured within the body portion directly under the slot and in spaced relation with the slot; said sup porting plat'e providing a su port for an envelo e held within the slot, a stationary blade secured adjacent to one edge of the slot, a pivoted blade mounted within the body and adapted to move under the slot in cutting relation with the stationary blade, whereby an enveloperestingonthe plate is cut.

2. An envelope opener comprising connected-- upper and lower sections, said sections being hollowed out and providing a hollow body, the upper section having a transversely disposed slot formed in the upper surface thereof; transparent;- guide members arrangedonopp'osit'e sides of the slot 'I li'e following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS N umber Name Date 1,292,181 Webb Jan. 21, 1919 136501084 Mason Nov. 22, 1927 594,650 Rider Nov. 30, 1897 6864706 Bbwerman Nov; 19'. 1901 

